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Interests and hobbies on your CV

Detailing your interests and extra-curricular activities is always a bit embarrassing, like writing an ad for the lonely hearts page of the local paper.

But your CV will probably be read by people who will have no other insight into your personality, skills or potential than what is laid out before them.

Conventional careers advice has been to list only those activities which are directly related to the job. But many employers are now scanning CVs for more offbeat interests as evidence of creativity, personality and enthusiasm.

An intriguing list of free-time pursuits can also make up for lack of work-related experience, gaps in your knowledge, or even missing qualifications.

The interests part is crucial to achieving what your CV really sets out to achieve - getting an interview. Don't bet on it swinging you the job but it will get you on the shortlist.

Some employers value extra-curricular activities higher than others, but many companies, particularly those in client-facing industries, are seeking as diverse a group of graduates as possible. After all, the V in CV stands for 'vitae' - Latin for life - and the interests part of your application is the ideal opportunity for you to prove you have a life.

A wide range of interests always looks good because the employer will want to see that you can fit into different environments with ease.

In professions like accountancy, consulting and law, the importance of client relationships means employers are eager to find candidates with a wide range of outside interests.

A broad spectrum of interests suggests to an employer that you are able to get on with other people from different backgrounds and of varying levels of seniority.

The interests section can make it easy for the recruiter to understand you, your values and what motivates you. Why make an unsubstantiated claim like "I work well in teams" if you can demonstrate it by telling the employer you play hockey for a local club?

Many advertisements for jobs now specify a range of desired traits, so match these to your leisure interests. Offer variety and avoid lists. Specific detail is what makes it interesting to the reader, so give examples and emphasise any significant achievements related to your interests.

If you are, for example, applying for a management trainee position, your interests should point out your interpersonal and leadership skills. Writing down "Captain of football team" is not as good as "While captain of my university football team I organised practices and led the team to a national final."

There are a few no-nos. Steer clear of extreme sports as these suggest you are a compulsive liar. Mentioning your pets will make you sound nice but wet. List polo as your favourite pastime and employers may think you'll buy the company if the fancy takes you. And of course, anything to do with railways - trainspotting, steam rallies, ticket collecting - is career suicide.

Should you lie? Of course not but there are ways of making the most of even a pathetic ragbag of interests. For example, a passion for, say, 19th century French literature sounds much more positive than an interest in "reading".